Tour operators are violating Hajj policy: Religious Affairs Secretary

Booking Hajj seats with airlines other than the ministry has approved is violation of Hajj policy 2011.

Religious Affairs Secretary Shaukat Hayat Durrani said that several tour operators are violating Hajj Policy by booking Hajj seats with airlines other than the ministry has approved.

Talking to Express 24/7, Durrani said the Hajj Policy 2011 clearly states that only Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Saudi Arabian Airlines, Al-Naas and Shaheen Airlines are the designated carriers of Hajj pilgrims.

This rule by Ministry of Religious Affairs is likely to result in offloading of passengers travelling with carriers other than the designated airlines.

The change came just few days before the departure of first Hajj flight.

According to sources, around 50,000 pilgrims are likely to be offloaded under the new policy.

It was reported earlier that the PIA had requested the federal government to ensure that the national carrier remains the primary airline to transport Hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

In a letter to the interior secretary, PIA’s managing director claimed that Hajj group operators took pilgrims through the other airlines, which resulted in a financial loss to PIA and cancellation of a number of flights.